Revamped Cathedral of St. Patrick dazzles parishioners

Almost 1,200 Roman Catholics filled the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Saturday to celebrate the completion of the first major renovations since Norwich became a diocese 60 years ago.

JOHN BARRY

Almost 1,200 Roman Catholics filled the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Saturday to celebrate the completion of the first major renovations since Norwich became a diocese 60 years ago.

“It is so good for all of us to have the opportunity to gather on this day,” the Most Rev. Michael Cote, bishop of Norwich, said during the Mass of Thanksgiving rededicating St. Patrick.

In addition to celebrating the end of the three-year renovation project to the 134-year-old cathedral on Broadway in Norwich, Catholics belonging to the diocese that covers Eastern Connecticut and Fisher’s Island, N.Y., celebrated its 60th anniversary, the 10th anniversary of Cote’s arrival and the Year of Faith proclaimed by the church.

The bulk of the restoration work was financed by an anonymous donor. The diocese also received donations from parishioners for the rest of the work, including wall murals depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

“This is a splendid new tabernacle,” Cote said. “My heartfelt thanks to each and all who helped us.”

The ceiling-to-floor renovations have made the cathedral look more like it did when it was first built, with more ornate and colorful decorations on the ceiling, walls and pillars, along with the additions of the murals.

St. Patrick is brighter, as well, with the installation of energy-efficient lights.

The cathedral’s different look brought praise from Klaus Stankiewicz, of Norwich, state warden of the Knights of Columbus. “Beautiful,” he said. “It looks like a real cathedral.”

Stankiewicz compared St. Patrick favorably to Hartford’s cathedral, which he said was a little stark and modern-looking for his taste. “I like what we have,” he said.

“I think it’s just gorgeous,” said Helen Connell, of Uncasville, who served as an usher. “I’ve been all over the United States and parts of Europe, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“We’re parishioners here. My husband and I, we love this church,” said Maureen Ronau, of Ledyard. “Any chance to come in and see it is great.”

“We started planning a year ago for this,” said Marge Vanner, the diocese’s coordinator of faith events. “We met every month. The last few days have been insane.”

The Mass rededicating the cathedral began with a procession led by Cote and former Norwich Bishop Daniel Reilly. They, along with dozens of clergy and deacons, were escorted by caped and plumed-hatted Knights of Columbus members, who lined the cathedral’s central aisle with their swords drawn.

Music was a major part of the ceremony. A choir, accompanied by an organ, sang hymns from a renovated choir loft. An upgraded sound system also was among the cathedral’s improvements.

“We ask the Lord’s blessing on this cathedral,” Cote said.

“This was just a remarkable occasion,” Reilly said after the Mass. “It brought back some happy memories. I feel I never left. Such a wonderful spirit. It was really a marvelous day.”

Cote noted during the Mass that Reilly was ordained as a priest 60 years ago this year, as well. “Congratuations, bishop. Well done,” Cote said.

After the Mass, hundreds of people ate and socialized in the cathedral’s basement hall. Also there, a room had been turned into a Hall of Memories. Items included portraits of the five bishops who have led the diocese and the photos of the churches of the diocese from St. Anne in Ballouville to Sacrado Corazon de Jesus in Windham.

“It was beautiful. The Mass was absolutely perfect,” Sister Kateri, one of the diocese’s nuns, said. “This is really wonderful.”